The 20 Absolute Best Buffets Across The US

Who doesn't love a buffet? With a bounty of food at your fingertips, you can move through these culinary wonderlands and taste to your heart's content. You may think of all-you-can-eat restaurants as an American institutions, but the historic inspiration for buffets in the U.S. would surprise you.

The word "buffet" itself is derived from the French word "bufet," which refers to a side table often found in dining rooms that are used to store plates and linens, per Grammarist. The word was eventually appropriated by English speakers to refer to the food that was served on top of this piece of furniture, hence the way we define the word "buffet" today.

Though the word might be French in origin, the culture that brought us the practice of laying food out for diners to help themselves comes from yet another European country. The Swedish smorgasbord (which literally translates as "buttered breadboard") originated as a way to efficiently feed guests who were coming in from out of town, (via Mental Floss). The concept was introduced to the U.S. during the 1939 World's Fair and the first American buffet, the El Rancho Vegas opened a few years later, and voila, the buffet became an American institution, per the UNLV Center for Gaming Research. Although buffets sometimes get a bad reputation for valuing quantity over quality, this is certainly not always the case. And we'll show you why in the list below, which features the best buffets available in the U.S.

While a buffet is often thought of as a greasy affair, we love a huge spread of fresh, seasonal fare that will keep both your taste buds and your cardiologist happy. At Country Life Restaurant in downtown Keene, New Hampshire, you'll find an entirely vegan selection of food, which is not only better for the environment, but better for your body, as new research reveals the benefits of a vegan diet on blood sugar (though we will note there is plenty of vegan junk food out there, so don't automatically assume that just because something is vegan, that means that it's packed with nutrients).

And did we mention this place is absolutely delicious? Favorites like enchiladas and lasagna form part of the rotating monthly menu and, according to its website, Wednesday is vegan pizza day. If you like what you eat at the restaurant, you can go to the Country Life store next door and pick up some options to take home, too.

The culinary experience on offer at Shabuya in Los Angeles is called "shabu-shabu," which is Japanese for "swish-swish," and some say it comes from the sound that is made when thin strips of beef are swished around in the hot broth where diners cook their own meat and vegetables. After you choose from a selection of five types of savory broths, servers bring an assortment of raw meats and vegetables that you cook yourself in the simmering soup that sits at the center of your table.

Traditionally, thinly sliced marbled beef is the main event at shabu-shabu, but Shabuya offers six types of beef, as well as pork belly, chicken breast, and lamb leg. According to its website, guests have 90 minutes to order to their hearts' content for the modest price of $32.99, but beware if your eyes are bigger than your stomach, because each plate ordered and not eaten will incur a charge of $5.99.

Down in Texas, nobody does Korean barbecue better than Jin. This meat-forward eatery is perfect for those of us who love a do-it-yourself experience. What sets this buffet apart from your standard all-you-can-eat restaurant is that diners cook food at their own tables, each of which is outfitted with a grill in the center.

For some, bulgogi (Korean BBQ beef) is the main attraction, but Korean barbecue is all about tasting bits of several different kinds of dishes. Aside from meats like pork belly, spicy chicken, and tilapia, meals at Jin include hot wings, kimchi, potato salad, and stir-fried dried squid, to name a few. With so many different flavors to experience, it's meant to be an experience shared with family and friends, each of whom can take a turn being the "pit master" in charge of the grill.

Did somebody say unlimited shrimp cocktail? That is just one type of elevated seafood fare available in unlimited quantity at this Rhode Island eatery that is only open during the summer months. This is one of the more expensive buffets on the list, with a price tag of $135 for adults, so make sure you know how to eat a lobster tail before you go, because you can help yourself to as many as you like.

In addition to the New England seafood staples that made The Nordic a destination for summertime travelers, it offers a whole smattering of quality meat basics like prime rib, filet mignon, and BBQ pork ribs. And don't forget that this is a classy joint: The website makes it clear that "proper casual attire is required."

As the saying goes: Your body is a temple. Then what better place to fill it up with quality nutrition than inside an actual temple that hosts yoga, meditation classes, and, of course, a buffet that is among the best the Aloha State has to offer? Everything at the table at Govinda's Vegetarian Buffet is plant-based, which is great news for the vegan and vegetarian folks out there looking for a quality buffet.

The rotating menu at Govinda's features delicious, healthy, creatively concocted meat alternatives like nut loaf with gravy and kofta cabbage coconut curry. And on Mondays, it goes one step further, offering only dishes that are fully vegan, according to its website. So if you're ready for a culinary awakening, grab your fork and your yoga mat and head to Govinda's.

Located inside the super chic Cosmopolitan Hotel on the Las Vegas strip, the Wicked Spoon has elevated the Las Vegas buffet experience to new heights. Instead of using troughs and serving spoons to get your hands on culinary delights from around the world, the Wicked Spoon serves each dish on an individual plate that you can collect from the different serving stations spread throughout the dining room floor.

The menu at Wicked Spoon rotates seasonally, another classy touch that sets this buffet apart from the others in Sin City. According to the Wicked Spoon website, if you want to spice up your breakfast, lunch, or brunch and get the party started early, you can order bottomless mimosas, Champagne, Bloody Marys, or Bud Light for an extra charge.

Don't let anybody tell you that all-you-can-eat sushi is too good to be true. At Kikoo Sushi in Manhattan's bustling East Village, the best types of sushi, sashimi, and tempura are served alongside grilled teriyaki and slurpable, chewy udon noodles for you to munch on until you're full. Kikoo's website confirms that everything there is made fresh to order, and when you're done with the bountiful appetizers and rolls, be sure to leave room for delicious desserts.

You can find yourself in this sushi heaven for only $40, and if you choose to add drinks to your dinner, it'll only set you back an extra $10. Diners can stay for up to two hours, so you should arrive at Kikoo revved up and ready to order.

If you're looking for a buffet option that values fresh, seasonal ingredients, you should head to Q. Cumbers in Edina, Minnesota, a suburb just outside of Minneapolis. We're salad fanatics, and the salad bar at Q. Cumbers features 50 feet of fresh, delicious greens and veggies for those herbivores looking to get their fill of quality vegetarian fare.

According to Vogue, a salad is a perfect way to start a meal so that you're ready to move on to heavier courses, which are offered in abundance at Q. Cumbers. The hot entrée bar serves up specials that rotate daily and feature delectable dishes like beef barbacoa and pork carnitas on Mondays and Q. Cumbers' signature "famous pot roast" on Wednesday nights, per its website.

Walt Disney World knows how to do a themed buffet. And Boma Flavors of Africa is no exception. Located inside Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, this massive eatery is meant to be enjoyed by the whole family. The thoughtfully designed interior features exposed wood beams and bright colors that conjure images of a safari lodge.

While some of the continent's staple dishes like turkey botobie, a type of quiche that Fodor's Travel claims is South Africa's most important dish, are available along the buffet table, Boma also serves up American classics like roasted meats, salads, and chicken nuggets for the kids. The experience, which, according to its website, is supposed to resemble "a bustling African marketplace," is a perfect way to wind down from a day at the park. And for guests over 21 years old, there's a wide selection of African wines to expand your palate.

We've all heard wonders about the Mediterranean diet. The countries that surround the Mediterranean sea boast some of the healthiest culinary landscapes that the world has to offer, emphasizing plant-based foods like whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and hearty herbs and spices, as well as using olive oil as the main source of fat, according to the Mayo Clinic.

At Tamr Mediterranean Grille, the owners have brought the flavors of the Mediterranean in bountiful quantity and exceptional quality to the suburb of Stow, Ohio. Lamb, roast chicken, hummus, lentil soup, and rice pilaf are among the delicacies that you can expect to enjoy at the Tamr buffet, which is offered in addition to a full a la carte menu. All of the dishes on offer reflect the restaurant's values of bringing food to the community that is "lovingly prepared with fresh ingredients and halal meat," per its website.